Workplace injuries are quite common and a large portion of those incidents are eye injuries. According to the Centers for Disease Control, nearly 2,000 workers in the United States sustain a work-related eye injury each day.
When these types of situations occur, the injured party usually requires extensive medical treatment. Therefore, worker’s compensation is expected to cover the victim. Unfortunately, things don’t always go as they should.
If you are someone who was injured on the job and endured an eye injury, this article is for you. We’ll explain more details about how a worker’s comp attorney can help you with your personal injury claim.
Read on to learn more.
How to Recognize an Eye Injury
After an eye injury, you may not know the extent of the damage. However, immediate medical attention is usually required to save your vision and prevent permanent damage.
Here are the common signs of an eye injury:
- Bleeding in the eye
- Changes in pupil size
- Changes in vision
- Consistent tearing
- Double vision
- Eye Irritation
- Inability to close the eye
- Sensitivity to light
- Swelling of the eye
All of these conditions are signs of a significant eye injury. If you didn’t go to the doctor immediately after the accident occurred, go as soon as symptoms develop. Eye injuries are time-sensitive and can worsen if left untreated.
Common Work-Related Eye Injuries
The extent of your eye injury determines the type of treatment you’ll need. It also plays a role in the type of monetary settlement you’ll receive since certain eye injuries are more likely to cause partial vision loss or total blindness.
If you are injured on the job, you may sustain one of the eye injuries listed below:
Chemical Eye Burns
A chemical burn to the eye is an injury that can potentially cause vision loss. It’s possible to sustain a chemical eye burn even if a chemical doesn’t get into your eye. Simply rubbing your eye with a chemically-infected hand is enough to cause damage.
The extent of your injury depends on the substance and how long the material stayed in your eye. It only takes a few short seconds for the chemical to begin ruining your eye.
Ruptured Globe
A globe rupture is a form of ocular trauma, which requires emergency treatment. This condition is an “inside-out injury” because it’s created from the impact of a blunt object. As a result, it causes an increase in intraocular pressure.
Unfortunately, this circumstance can lead to blindness.
Hyphema
A hyphema occurs when blood gathers in the front of the eye, between the cornea and iris. Blunt force trauma and a penetrating wound are the most common causes of hyphema. If you’re injured on the job from a forceful object, seek medical attention to avoid this condition.
Orbital Bone Fracture
Orbital bone fractures occur when there is a fracture in one of the bones around the eyeball. These bones form the perimeter of the eye, which is also referred to as the eye socket. Blunt force from a hard object to the eye or the face is usually the cause of an orbital bone blowout fracture.
Eyelid Laceration
A sharp, blunt force or slash can create a laceration (cut) to the eyelid. This type of injury could cause significant damage if the cut is deep, and depending on the severity of the laceration, you may require surgery.
Corneal Abrasion
Corneal abrasions happen due to a scratch on the cornea. As a result, you may feel a foreign object in your eye, endure pain, experience tearing, or have a sensitivity to light
Generally, this type of injury is caused by a poke in the eye or a jab from a small object entering the eye.
Corneal Ulcer
If a corneal abrasion or other eye injury goes untreated, it can turn into an ulcer on the cornea. An ulcer is a sore or crater that develops on the eyeball. This condition is sometimes called epithelial defect or stromal infiltrate.
Detached Retina
Retinal detachment is a dire emergency. It’s the result of an eye injury that occurs in the back of the eye (retina). It detaches from the layer of blood vessels that provide it with oxygen. This is one of the most severe eye injuries.
How To Get Worker’s Comp for Eye Injuries
Eye injuries are very painful and can cause permanent damage. When you are injured on the job, the first step is to notify the employer and, if required, obtain emergency medical treatment before inquiring about worker’s compensation.
Once the emergency treatment is completed, move on to the following steps:
1. Complete written incident report if asked to do so by the employer.
2. Receive medical treatment based on a list of healthcare providers that your employer provides. After your initial visit to the doctor, your employer’s worker’s comp provider might want you to see a specific physician. If so, comply with their recommendations.
3. Follow the orders set by the physician
4. Get notification from your employer on whether their insurance company approved or denied your claim. Depending on this verdict, you may have to contact a worker’s comp lawyer.
Even if your claim is approved, sometimes the insurance provider doesn’t offer you the compensation you deserve. If so, an attorney can help.
The good news is, you don’t have to wait until your claim is approved to receive treatment—especially with eye injuries. You’ll go to the doctor upfront, and the claim settlement covers it later.
Were You Injured on the Job? Call Us
If you were injured on the job and sustained an eye injury, Hollington Brown LLP can assist you. Our experienced attorneys will work to ensure that you are properly compensated for your injuries.
Do you have questions about starting a personal injury claim? If so, feel free to contact us online.
We’ll be there for you in your time if need.
